Through the work of the World Forum we have all learned about how advocates around the world use the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child as a resource in their work for children and families. The UNCRC has become, for many, the point of reference, the backbone for moving forward agendas around children. And at every international gathering, those of us from the United States must again experience the shame of the lack of support from our own country. The shame is growing stronger and it has been a continuous ache. In Belfast a discussion with Pam Boulton turned into a commitment to use our resources to stir the pot to make the U.S. ratification a reality.

World Forum Foundation and Exchange magazine have joined the Campaign for U.S. Ratification of the Rights of the Child (www.childrightscampaign.org). We encourage everyone to join us. As Pam says: “Ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is an important part of being a global citizen. It is time to ask–intentionally and insistently–that our legislators ratify this convention and that we take our place among those who agree to promote and protect the best interests of all children.”